Announcement

Dear friends and visitors,

With the impending closure of GeoCities later this year, the Military & Paramilitary Flags & Ranks of Singapore website is now located at the following new address: http://hfmy.110mb.com/

Regards,
Herman

Military & Paramilitary Flags of Singapore (Page 1)

Preface

Hello and welcome to the Military and Paramilitary Flags of Singapore site, part of Herman's Mainframe. I am a budding vexillologist; and this page is dedicated to and also to celebrate the much overlooked vexillological scene of Singapore. Vexillology is the study of flags - the design, history, protocols, significance, commonality, etc of flags. Vexillologists are people who study about flags. To learn more about vexillology, the Flags of the World (FOTW) website (and the mailing list) is a good starting point from where I have learnt much from other more experienced vexillologists. Around the world, there also exist various vexillological associations dedicated to this field of study.

The Military & Paramilitary Flags & Ranks of Singapore site is not an official site of any of the Singapore services mentioned in these pages, but I do hope that the information here would be helpful and informative. There are quite a number of images to appear, so please allow some time for them to load. Due to bandwidth limits, the site may at times be temporarily inaccessible. These pages are works-in-progress and as such, there might be some unintended errors as well as missing or incomplete information. Do e-mail me if there is information that requires correction, additional information, and/or other comments if any.

The site relating to flags consists of two pages. Page 1 (current page) is about the general flags of the services while Page 2 deals with the ceremonial flags of the services. You may click on the <Chapter headings> or <Sectional titles> on the Directory list on the left for a direct referral to the sections. To return to the Directory, you may click on the [Return to Directory] links available at the end of each section throughout the pages.

These pages use quite a number of vexillological terminologies. If a glossary is required, please refer to FOTW: Glossary of Flag Terms website for a comprehensive list and their definitions. I am also interested in Heraldry, the art and science of coat of arms, thus I have used heraldic terms where it is appropriate. Heraldry and vexillology while separable are but inter-related and this page will thus also explore a little on Singapore's coats of arms. The different parts of the various arms of Singapore were used by the services which in turn appears on the flags of the services where necessary. 

i - Service Classifications:

The flags presented on these pages are those of Singapore’s military and paramilitary services. Some elaboration on this issue is provided before proceeding as it affects the selection of organisations to be represented here. The ‘military’ would refer to the armed services, which is comprised of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The three armed services of Singapore is a unified force under the name 'Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF). The SAF is under the jurisdiction of the republic’s Ministry of Defence (Mindef).

The term ‘paramilitary’ has quite a few definitions, the simplest being "a group of civilians organised in a military fashion". "Military fashion" is understood to be with regards to the hierarchy (structure) resembling that of the armed forces, as well as the presence of regimentation and discipline in training and conduct manifested in the use of uniforms and drills. For these pages, organisations are limited to official government agencies. The purpose and functions of such organisations are mainly with regards to internal security and law enforcement, and if need be, these agencies complement the duties of the armed forces. The armed forces may also assist these home-front services if and where it may be necessary.

By the aforesaid framework, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) are paramilitary organisations. The reference of these two forces as paramilitary organisations is briefly mentioned in Tim Huxley’s work, Defending the Lion City. I would also, by the above-mentioned framework, include the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) as they have such features. Tim Huxley also classified the National Cadet Corps as a paramilitary organisation in his book although it was not extended to the Police Cadet Corps. I will therefore by the same framework also include the various national cadet corps, the land-air-sea cadets, police cadets and civil defence cadets, as paramilitary organisations.

Apart from the Police, there are other government agencies that are granted the authority to do enforcement work in specialised areas. With the exception of the Prisons department, these other organisations do not fit perfectly into the given paramilitary definition framework as they fulfill the criteria only partially. Such organisations include the Internal Security Department (ISD), the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and the Singapore Customs. Personnel from the ISD and CNB do not don uniforms, however, a rank structure does exist in these departments. The ICA and Customs are uniform-wearing services with rank structures but regimentation is not a feature of these two services. For ease of reference, these agencies have been referred to generally as the "other enforcement services" and for inclusiveness, their flags have been included where information is available.

Singapore Customs is a department under the Ministry of Finance. The SCDF, SPF, SPS, ISD, CNB, and ICA are departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and are collectively referred to as the ‘Home Team’. MHA regards the SCDF, SPF, SPS, and CNB as the ‘Home Affairs Uniformed Services’ (HUS). To add on to the classification fluidity, with regards to the protection of Singapore’s sovereignty where "[t]here shall be … no relinquishment of control over the Singapore Police Force or the Singapore Armed Forces … ", the definition of Singapore Armed Forces in the article's context comprises the SAF as well as the SCDF (Constitution of the Republic of Singapore - Part III, paragraphs 6.1b & 6.2). Where mandatory National Service (NS) is concerned, conscripts can be posted to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and/or Civil Defence forces for their NS duties.

The rank structures and insignias of these various services is presented and compared at the Military & Paramilitary Ranks of Singapore page. Military Defence and Civil Defence are two of the five components of "Total Defence" and is provided for by the military and paramilitary services of Singapore. Visit the Total Defence website to learn more.

The various national cadet corps to be mentioned on these pages constitute as only some of the many Uniformed Youth Organisations (UYO) that exists in Singapore. Only the national cadet corps have been included in these pages as they are associated with the main military and paramilitary organisations of Singapore (SAF, SPF, & SCDF). To be noted is that other UYOs also have rich flag histories and practices, some of which are international in practice. Much information and discussion on them is available at the FOTW web sites, for example the flag practices of St John’s Ambulance Brigade.

ii - General History of Singapore & Malaya/Malaysia:

Besides presenting the current flags of the various services in Singapore, also included are notes on historical flags of the services where such information is available. It is helpful and interesting to know the historical flags as they have influenced the present day flags in many ways. As such, a very general knowledge on the history of Singapore (and Malaya/Malaysia) would be very helpful. The chronology here only highlights the events of the colonial period up to independence and the major developments in the usage of symbols and flags that came along with these changes:

1798, 1819, and 1824: Penang (1798) and Singapore (1819) were established as British ports. Malacca was obtained after the signing of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824.

1826: Formation of the British Straits Settlements, comprising the three acquired British ports. In 1907, Labuan was incorporated. On 1st April 1867, the Colony of the Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony, whereby it was governed directly from London rather than through administrators of British India under the previous arrangement.

The British Union Flag was the official flag of the Straits Settlements. The Straits Settlements also had a blue colonial ensign defaced with a badge. Its use spanned from 1826 to 1946 (World War II: Japanese Interregnum 1942 to 1945). The badge of the Straits Settlements was a red lozenge, charged with a white inverted pall - a heraldic charge in the form of the letter 'Y'. On each arm is charged an imperial crown. The badge was used for government purposes but was not officially authorised however. This blue ensign charged with this badge was used as the naval ensign of the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. This colony badge was used in the service badge of the Straits Settlements Police and the service badge of the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The blazon of this device was as follow: Gules, on a pall reversed argent, three imperial crowns one and two or. This badge placed at the centre of the Union Flag was the flag of the Governor of the Straits Settlements.

On 25th March 1911, the Arms of the Colony of the Straits Settlements was granted by warrant. The Arms was comprised of a quartered shield bearing the following charges representing each settlement in the following order: 

First quarter: Singapore (a gold lion passant guardant on a white tower all on a red field), second quarter: Penang (an Areca palm - Pinang or Betel nut palm), third quarter: Malacca (a sprig of leaves and fruits of the keruing tree), and fourth quarter: Labuan (a depiction of a schooner headed towards Mount Kinabalu - or Borneo - at sunrise)

The crest for the arms is a gold demi-lion rampant guardant holding a staff from which flies a blue banner charged with three imperial crowns. The arms as illustrated here were shown in the Singapore Annual Reports with a red and gold mantling. The crest appears on a wreath of gold and red placed above a silver helm with a closed visor, a helmet used by esquires, gentlemen, and corporations. The arms, specifically the shield portion only, was used on the Regimental Colours of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force. Occasionally, a simpler depiction of the achievement of arms was adopted showing only the shield with charges and crest. The formal heraldic blazon for the arms and crest of the Colony of the Straits Settlements was as follow:

Quarterly, the first quarter gules, issuant from the base a tower proper, on the battlements thereof a lion passant guardant or; the second quarter argent, on a mount an areca nut palm tree proper; the third quarter also argent a sprig of the oil tree kruing proper ; the fourth quarter azure in base on waves of the sea in front of a representation of the sun rising behind a mountain, a sailing yacht in full sail to the sinister, all proper. 

Crest — A demi-lion rampant guardant supporting in the paws a staff proper, thereon flying to the sinister a banner azure, charged with three imperial crowns or.

It was mentioned in several sources that the Singapore Municipal Commission used a device to represent themselves in the form of a lion statant with a coconut palm tree all on a green turf as illustrated here on the right. The origins and status of this badge is however unclear. It was referred to as the Crest of the Municipal Commission often but there does not seem to be any arms (shield and charges) for the Commission. Nonetheless, this emblem was also adopted in the badge of the Singapore Volunteer Corps from 1928 onwards. It was retained after the war as the crest of the new City of Singapore Arms granted in 1948 as shown below. The lion statant (both paws grounded) was however changed to a lion passant (a paw raised) depiction. The Singapore Volunteer Corps Regimental Colour of 1954 featured this device with the lion that was adopted remaining at statant position.

1942 - 1945: Second World War & Japanese Occupation of Singapore (Syonan-to)

The Japanese "Rising Sun" Flag was the official flag of Singapore and Malaya.

1946: Crown colony status for Singapore and the formation of the Malayan Union

The British returns and forms the Malayan Union (comprising of the four Federated Malay States, other unfederated states of the Malay peninsula and the Straits Settlements of Penang & Malacca). Singapore was excluded from this arrangement and was governed separately. The Malayan Union was reorganised later in 1948 to become the Federation of Malaya.

The coat of arms for the City of Singapore was granted by letters patent on 9th April 1948. It featured the gold lion passant guardant on a white tower as per the first quarter of the Arms of the Straits Settlements. There appears a gold chief partitioned by embattlement, on which is charged a pair of blue wings between two blue anchors, representing the trade hub role of Singapore. The Arms of the City used the crest of the Singapore Municipal Commission, a lion statant with a palm tree. On the new city arms' crest however, the lion was depicted as a lion passant (a paw raised) and not in statant (both paws on ground) position. There was also a yellow motto-scroll inscribed with "Majulah Singapura" ("Let Singapore Flourish") probably added later. This became the motto and title of the national anthem of the present Republic. The arms as illustrated here were shown in the Singapore Annual Report with an all-blue mantling, and an esquire's silver helm. The wreath for the crest was depicted in blue. The lion passant and coconut palm crest was used in the cap badge of the Singapore Fire Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Service placed on the traditional emergency services starburst and was used for quite sometime after independence as well. There were also instances where the Singapore Fire Brigade used a lion statant guardant (both paws grounded and head turned to face viewer) with the palm tree rather than the lion passant, notably for the badge on the fire helmet. The colonial prison service used as part of their badge the crest but replacing the lion passant with the lion passant guardant (a paw raised and head turned to face viewer) like the lion as depicted on the shield.

On 13th September 1948, a Royal Warrant was issued granting a coat of arms to the Colony of Singapore. The shield featured a gold lion passant guardant on a tower like those appearing on the first quarter of the 1911 Straits Settlements' Arms (Gules, issuant from the base a tower proper, on the battlements thereof a lion passant guardant or). The crest of the Straits Settlements was retained but the banner that was attached to the staff held by the gold demi-lion rampant guardant was changed to one with a red inverted pall charged with a single crown all on a white field (used as the new badge of the colony as noted in the following paragraph). The arms as illustrated here were shown in the Singapore Annual Reports with a red and gold mantling, and an esquire's silver helm. The wreath for the crest is gold and red. The lion on a tower was used in the cap badge of the Singapore Infantry Regiment upon inception before the present day armed forces badge was adopted. The colonial Singapore Civil Defence Corps also used the shield in their service badge. The various colonial arms of Singapore never featured supporters in their achievement. The lion passant guardant on a tower appears on the gold buttons as used on the present-day military's ceremonial dress.

A new badge to be used on the colonial ensign was thus granted as well. It was basically a revision of the Straits Settlements lozenge badge. The colour order was reversed - now bearing a white field with a red pall reversed, the overall shape of the badge changed from a lozenge to a disc, and the number of crowns reduced from three to one. The blue ensign with the new badge was used henceforth until 1959, when Singapore attained self-government status. The crowns featured on the colonial ensigns should have been changed from the previously used imperial (also known as Tudor) design to the current St Edward's design by order of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The flag featuring the new badge was used as the naval ensign of the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Malayan Naval Force. The Marine Police also flew the blue ensign charged with this badge on their vessels. The colonial police force of Singapore accordingly updated their former Straits Settlements Police service badge upon the change of the colonial badge but only slightly.

On many government publications such as reports and commissions, the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the simpler achievement of Arms used by HM Government) was used like those seen on British passport covers today. The more complex Royal Arms, fully depicted with royal helm, crest, and mantling, is used by the sovereign. On the Arms for use by HM Government, these are substituted with a large St Edward's or Imperial/Tudor crown.

1957: Independence of the Federation of Malaya

The first version of the present-day Malaysian flag was adopted as the national flag for Malaya. The Malayan flag of 1957 to 1963 only had 11-points for the star and 11-stripes. The flag was however already in existence since 1950. Malaya also had their federal arms. The shield had six quarterings, one (further divided into four) for the four former Federated Malay States, one for Penang, and one for Malacca. A red chief is charged with five gold Malay daggers (the keris). said to represent the five unfederated Malay states. Tigers rampant were used as supporters of the shield of arms. The crescent and eleven-pointed star formed the crest. Singapore remained a British colony.

1959: Singapore attained internal self-government (known as the State of Singapore)

Singapore was allowed to have a new (the present) flag and coat of arms, which were adopted in December of that year (components detailed in Part ii of Chapter 2 below). The Singapore State Marine Ensign was tabled a year later in the Legislative Assembly. The British Union Flag & colonial ensign remained in use for certain purposes. (E.g. as the naval ensign and jack)

1963: Singapore was granted independence from the United Kingdom as a constituent state of the Malayan federation. British North Borneo (Sabah) and British Sarawak were also granted independence as part of the federation. The new federation was renamed Malaysia.

The Malayan Flag in use since 1957 was updated to one bearing a 14-pointed star and 14-stripes to denote the addition of the three new member states. Singapore's flag of 1959 became the sub-national flag of the Malaysian state of Singapore. The Malaysian Federation Flag became the national flag of Singapore. (See Malaysian flag at Section 2.3D.VI on this page). The federal Arms of Malaysia incorporated Singapore's arms - the crescent and stars on a red field - as one of the quarters on the shield. Sabah and Sarawak were also represented with their own quarters on the federal arms. There were now nine quarters on the shield.

1965: Singapore seceded from the Malaysian federation (Republic of Singapore)

The Singapore flag of 1959 became the national flag of the present republic. The coat of arms of 1959 became the national coat of arms / the State Arms. The Malaysian flag was not altered with the secession but the Singapore quarter on the Malaysian arms was changed.

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- Chapter 2 - 
The Military & Paramilitary Service, Unit, and Maritime Flags

i - General Overview

While the term "Flag" is the generic term used for all types of flags, it is necessary to distinguish the various types in Vexillology. Here, the commonly seen and daily-used flags of the services are presented. They are primarily adopted to be hoisted and displayed outdoors and consists of the following:

Service Flags are flags used to denote, differentiate, and represent the different services within the military or paramilitary groupings. These are flags flown on a daily basis by the respective services at their various installations alongside the national flag. A possible alternative would be to term them "Organisational Flags" (which would be rather general as it may include flags of any organisation) or "Command Flags" of which the latter is perhaps more applicable to the commands of the armed forces (e.g. Air Command, Maritime Command). 

Unit / Formation Flags are flags that represent the units or formations of a particular service. Usually flown exclusively at their own premises or camps, they are next in rank to the Service Flag. Alternative terms would include "Camp Flags". Some services are more profound in the use of such flags through official standardisation in their use, and certainly unofficial ones do exist too, adopted at the discretion of the units themselves.

Maritime Flags consists of flags developed for use at sea. They include the Naval Jacks (in some countries, Coast Guards and civil vessels have specially designated jacks for themselves as well), the various ensigns, and pennants. These are additional flags flown by the maritime-based services on their vessels. Indeed the maritime world has contributed much to the flag scene. Maritime Flags itself can stand as an individual category of flags to include all the various Ensigns, Signal Flags, Burgees, Pennants, etc. In general, countries usually would have three basic ensigns; for civilian vessels (the Civil Ensign), government service vessels (the State/Government Ensign), and naval vessels (the Naval/War Ensign). Where military and paramilitary/enforcement services are concerned, the ensign, the jack, and the commission pennant are of concern, in addition to the use of Signal Flags (for internal and external visual communications), and in many countries, the use of distinguishing flags for the Flag Officers (Rank Flags). 

Distinguishing Flags refers to flags that are used to denote and differentiate officials/offices. The officials can be from government agencies, ministries (Ministers, Secretaries, etc.), and the military as well (for appointments such as Chief-of-Staff, Commander-in-Chief, etc.). A popular subset of distinguishing flags is Rank Flags. Used by quite a number of military forces across the world, rank flags correspond to the rank of an officer and is used to denote the officer's presence. Rank flags are generally restricted to the ranks of Generals, Marshals and Admirals of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, where appropriate. These officers are also referred to as 'Flag Officers' thus. There are no rank flags in Singapore. However, there are distinguishing flags for the military Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Navy. (See Section 2.3C) 

ii - The Armorial Bearings of Singapore

Please also note that the frequently used term 'Crest' to refer to the respective emblems and to refer to the State Arms is not correct. A full achievement of arms consists of the shield, supporters, compartment, scroll, helmet, mantling, and crest. A crest is an armorial device by itself appearing above the shield placed on a wreath often above a helmet. The objects appearing on the shield are known as charges. Heraldic badges are generally free-standing devices that may feature the charges that appears on the arms or the crest with which it is associated. The English College of Arms in London has provided a labeled illustrated image with regards to a full achievement of arms on their website. The College of Arms is the heraldic authority for grants of arms in England & Wales and the Commonwealth where necessary.

The present arms of the Republic of Singapore do not feature the heraldic devices of helmet, mantling, nor any crest. In the present achievement of arms of the Republic of Singapore, there is the Arms comprising the shield (or the escutcheon) with a red field and bearing the following charges all in white/silver - a crescent placed beneath five 5-pointed stars arranged in a circle; for the supporters, a lion rampant guardant on the dexter (left of viewer, right of bearer) representing Singapore and a tiger rampant guardant on the sinister (right of viewer, left of bearer) representing historical ties with Malaya; for the compartment, water spurts, and completed with the scroll bearing the motto as per the colonial arms of the City of Singapore, "Majulah Singapura" translated from Malay to English today as "Onward Singapore". The armorial bearings of Singapore cannot be called a crest. Crests were however a feature on the various arms of colonial Singapore as illustrated earlier (the lion rampant guardant holding a staff from which flies a banner and the lion passant with the palm tree). The term "Arms" in the strict sense refers to the shield portion with its charges, this being the primary heraldic device without which the other augmentations (scrolls, crest, supporters, compartment, etc.) cannot exist. Today, "Arms" is also frequently used to refer to the entire achievement of arms to include the other components (crest, supporters, helm, mantling, compartment, and scroll). 

ii.a - The National Coat of Arms as used in the various service and/or unit badges/insignias

The Arms of Singapore have been incorporated by the services (and formations/units) into their badges/emblems to symbolise themselves as being part of the State. The use of the Singapore coat of arms by the various Singapore services as part of their badges however vary and can be as simple as only the crescent and stars charges without the shield (Prisons' service badge namely), to the basic Arms, i.e., only the shield and charges (in the civil defence, police, and immigration service badges for example), to the current complete achievement of arms (in the air force and naval unit/formation insignias for example), as well as other intermediate options (slightly modified as used on the Singapore Armed Forces badge or a partially incomplete achievement as used by Singapore Customs as examples). In the course of these pages, I have attempted to use the appropriate specific description where possible ranging from "State shield" to "full State arms" for instance. 

iii - The National Flag / The State Flag

The current Singapore national flag, as highlighted earlier, was adopted in December 1959 upon Singapore becoming a limited self-governing territory known as the State of Singapore. It is the flag for use by government department/services and for civil use on land. It is also the Naval Jack of the republic's navy. There were times in the past that it appeared in the ratio of 1:2 but at present, the adopted proportions is 2:3.

The flag is an equal horizontal bicolour of red over white. The canton is defaced with a white crescent and five 5-pointed stars. Officially, the colour red represents brotherhood whilst white represents peace and virtue. The crescent represents a young nation on the ascent while the five stars represents the ideals of peace, equality, justice, prosperity, and progress.

The national flag is the basis of the Singapore Armed Forces flag and the canton of the national flag appears as the canton of all the military service flags. The military State Colours (Page 2) are also based on the national flag. The terms 'National Flag' and 'State Flag' are in Singapore's context synonymous for there are no separate flags for use specifically by the State (Government) or by civilians on land, as is the case for certain countries.

iv - The Presidential Standard

The Presidential Standard is simply an enlargement of the canton of the State Flag. It is displayed where the President is in attendance notably when he is in residence at the Istana, at National Day Parades, and at Singapore Armed Forces Day Parades.

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2.1 - Singapore Armed Forces

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is the collective term of all the three component services under its wing. Sometimes, it mainly refers to the land forces (Army) instead of the three services and as such, the SAF emblem is used by the Singapore Army, or more appropriately perhaps the Army badge is used as the SAF badge for the Army existed prior to the SAF. The three component services are governed under a single legislation called the Singapore Armed Forces Act.

2.1A - The Singapore Armed Forces Tri-Service Flag

The SAF Flag is the national flag proper with the SAF emblem charged in the lower fly. As this flag represents of all the SAF services, the Joint-Service or Tri-Service flag rather than just simply a service flag is perhaps a more accurate description of the flag.

This flag must be flown second to the national flag at all military installations followed by the appropriate service flag in third position. It is to be displayed from sunrise to sunset. The proportion of the flag is 2:3. The SAF Flag was inaugurated on SAF Day Parade of 1st July 1989.

Where it is necessary to display all the service flags of the armed forces together, the tri-service flag will still take precedence over the individual service flags. The service flags of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, in that order, will come after the SAF Flag. This order is adopted, as it is reflective of the chronological order whereby each service was established in Singapore. 

There was one special occasion when the SAF Tri-Service Flag was seen hoisted alongside the Police and Civil Defence service flags. It was during the Joint Passing-Out Parade Ceremony for National Service recruits from the military, police, and civil defence forces. Such an event took place in 1992 at SAF's Nee Soon Camp, commemorating 25 years of National Service in Singapore. On a photograph from the event, the national flag, the SAF Tri-Service flag, the Police and the Civil Defence service flags were seen hoisted together, in that given order. The other service flags of the armed services were not hoisted however. (See also Section 2.5A.I, Singapore Police & Civil Defence Forces Joint Installation)

2.1A.I - The Singapore Armed Forces Emblem

The SAF emblem and its symbolism from Mindef's website: "The SAF [emblem] is emblazoned on the State Flag. The SAF emblem comprises the State Arms [but without the scroll bearing Majulah Singapura], encircled by the inscription of the SAF in the national language (Malay) - TENTERA SINGAPURA. This symbolises the protection and preservation of the values of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality represented in the State Arms. The guiding principle of the SAF is reflected on the ribbon - YANG PERTAMA DAN UTAMA (translated from Malay as "First and Foremost") signifying victory and merit in all endeavours. The laurels ... are a symbol of honour, glory and excellence - aims that the SAF strives towards." Apart from the absent motto-scroll, the national achievement of arms' original water spurts compartment has also been replaced with palm fronds.

While this SAF emblem is the common and Army exclusive emblem, the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Republic of Singapore Air Force have their own service emblems. They are not used on the Navy and Air Force service flags but they appear on their respective State Colour. (Refer to Page 2, Sections 4.2B and 4.2C)

There are varying depictions of the SAF emblem. The one appearing on the SAF Tri-Service flag as above and the current SAF State Colour (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.2A.i) is the most current and most used variant. It is also used on the current Army service flag (See Section 2.2A on this page). The one appearing on the former Army service flag (See Section 2.2B on this page) and the former Army Unit & Formation State Colours (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.2A.II.a) was another variant with distinctly thick green palm fronds. This version was to a great extent derived from the one appearing on the Regimental Colour of the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment (1SIR) which defines the wreath clearly as palm leaves and is depicted in green. The Regimental Colour of the 1SIR was the first instance where the SAF emblem was used on a flag. The Colour was presented to the regiment in 1961. (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.1D)   

2.1A.I.a - A Special Mention on the SAF Military Police Command Badge

There is one special badge in the SAF that deserves special mention, that of the SAF Military Police Command (SAF MPC). Worn exclusively by the military policemen on their white helmets and berets, their badge is a combination of the emblems of the SAF and the Singapore Police Force. Their cap/helmet badge has the elements of the SAF badge as shown above but without the lower blue motto-scroll "Yang Pertama dan Utama". In the place of the SAF motto-scroll is however the exact blue scroll and ribbons from the lower half of the badge of the Singapore Police Force (Refer to Section 2.5A of this page). 

Instead of the inscription "Polis Repablik Singapura" as per the Police emblem, the one on the badge of the SAF MPC reads "SAF Military Police". The badge is however not to be confused with the Military Police Command unit insignia which is the basis of their Regimental Colour (Refer to Page 2, Sections 4.3B.I and 4.3B.II). This unit was formerly known as the SAF Provost Unit (SAFPU), prior to 1st September 2006.

I find this union of emblems very symbolic and interesting. However I am uncertain why this is so. The most probable reason I would say is their policing duties. As the police force of the SAF, I suppose this union was adopted. The Singapore Police Force was also considered as part of the armed forces during Singapore's early days as a republic, administered together with the armed services, under the then Ministry of the Interior and Defence.

2.1B - The SAFTI Military Institute Formation Flag

The tri-service training institute of the SAF is known as SAFTI Military Institute. It is the only  establishment of the SAF to have a formation flag hoisted on a pole alongside the military service flags. The flag is made up of a plain red field on which is charged the SAFTI M.I. insignia; a torch and a broadsword in saltire, flanked on its left and right by green palm fronds. A blue scroll appears beneath and is inscribed with the motto of the institute: "To Lead,  To Excel, To Overcome", in yellow text. The flag is in the proportions of 2:3.

The SAFTI M.I. formation flag is flown last alongside the service flags of the three services in this order: the national flag, the SAF flag, the Army, Navy, and Air Force service flags and followed by the SAFTI M.I. flag. SAFTI M.I. is a special establishment as it is the "Home of the Officer Corps". This is manifested by the fact that they are the only unit/formation entitled to a unit/formation State Colour at present (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.2A.II.c). The current Regimental Colour of SAFTI M.I. is similar in design to the formation flag (Refer to Page 2, Sections 4.3B.I & 4.3B.II).

Multi-organisation installations are interesting cases where one can observe how the flags of various organisations are arranged when they come together. SAFTI M.I. as can be seen is one case where the military services are concerned. Also of considerable comparative interest is the home services equivalent, the Home Team Academy, a case which will be noted in section 2.5D.

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2.2 - Singapore Army

The basic component any military is the land forces. The Singapore Army thus provides the landward defence of Singapore. The Singapore Army comprises various formations and units notably the Infantry, Commandos, Guards, Armour, Artillery, Engineers, Signals, and Logistics.

Although several land units existed in colonial Singapore, the use of a distinctive service flag for the land units then was very unlikely. This is because the British Army did not really have a distinctive service flag, and units and formations would prefer only to display the Union Flag when necessary. However, the use of unit-based flags (today the ceremonial colours, guidons, and standards) by the Army formations is more profound and complex as compared to the other military services as will be observed on Page 2.

2.2A - The Singapore Army Service Flag

The current Army service flag has a yellow field with the canton (1st quarter of a flag's layout) from the canton of the national flag, and the SAF emblem charged in the lower fly (4th quarter of a flag's layout). 

The service flag shown here is the current version. The former service flag (as presented below) was inaugurated on SAF Day of 1980. It was formally approved in December 1979 at the Army Conference. The flag must be flown in third position and preceded by both the national flag and the SAF Flag at army installations. It is displayed from sunrise to sunset at the various army installations and the proportion of the service flag is 2:3. 

The yellow field was chosen to differentiate the army from the other services as yellow is the colour of the field of Singapore's first very own Regimental Colour, that of the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment (Refer to Page 2, Sections 4.1D or 4.3B.I)

2.2B - Former Service Flag

The SAF emblem used on the current service flag is now equivalent to the SAF emblem on the SAF Joint-Service flag as shown previously in 2.1. The SAF emblem that appears on the former Army Flag is slightly different from the one that appears on the SAF Joint-Service flag and current Army service flag. Notably, the wreath is green & thicker (likely palm fronds) and the emblem features an additional red ribbon. 

This former emblem version is highly likely to have been derived from the badge appearing on the Singapore Infantry Regiment's Regimental Colours as was detailed in 2.1A.I earlier. This flag was often shown in the earlier years' Recruit's Handbook issued to newly enlisted conscripts (for National Service).

The history of the SAF emblem traces back to 1961, when the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment held a ceremony for the change in their beret badge. Singapore was a self-governing British colony then. (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.1D)

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2.3 - Republic of Singapore Navy

The maritime defence of Singapore is undertaken by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They were formerly the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (1966-1967), Sea Defence Command (1967-1968), Maritime Command (1968-1975), and the Republic of Singapore Navy since 1975. However, their history can be linked to the colonial period as will be discussed in Section 2.3D. 

2.3A - The Republic of Singapore Navy Service Flag

The RSN service flag is white and the red canton is from the canton of the national flag. The lower fly is charged with a red stylised 8-pointed cardinal device (termed 'Mariner's Compass'). This flag is derived from the Singapore Naval Ensign. Ensigns are a special category of flags flown at sea for status differentiation - merchant or civil vessels, military service vessels or non-military government service vessels.

2.4 - Republic of Singapore Air Force

The maintenance of the republic's aerial defence is the responsibility of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). From 1968 to 1975, they were known as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC).

2.4A - The Republic of Singapore Air Force Service Flag

The current RSAF service flag is light blue with the canton of the national flag for its canton, and the RSAF roundel charged in the lower fly. The roundel of the RSAF shows a red lion-head symbol with five distinct mane partings. This current version was adopted in 1990.

The lion-head symbol accordingly, is a representation of courage, strength, and resolve and its five manes have a meaning equivalent to the five stars of the national flag, i.e., peace, equality, justice, prosperity, and progress. This roundel was also once used on the RSAF Service-Regimental Colours (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.3A.III.b).

The flag, as per the Army and Navy service flags, must be flown in third position and preceded by both the national flag and SAF flag. It is displayed from sunrise to sunset at their installations. The proportion of the flag is 2:3.

Light blue is the colour most commonly used to represent air forces worldwide. It was also in most probability the influence from the colonial administrators, for the UK was the first to introduce the air force ensign to Singapore.

2.4B - The Former Service Flags (1968* – 1973) and (1973 – 1990)

The RSAF had two former service flags prior to 1990, which respectively followed the histories of the air force roundels.

The first (SADC) roundel was a circle divided concentrically into 3 (shown on the extreme left). It was simply red-white-red and was used from 1968* to 1973 on the very first RSAF service flag and their aircrafts during that period.

The RSAF roundel was changed in 1973, to a design of a red and white yin-yang symbol with stylized red and white rays issuant from the top and bottom of the yin-yang symbol. This roundel was used by the RSAF aircrafts and on their second service flag from 1973-1990.

* The first roundel was in use since 1968. However, it is uncertain if the flag was adopted exactly in that year. The flag however did exist it seems and one is now displayed at the RSAF Museum together with the 1973 to 1990 version.

2.4C - Colony of Singapore & the Royal Air Force

As with the case of the Navy, the British set up their Royal Air Force (RAF) stations in the colony of Singapore. And as such, they flew their air force flags in Singapore, notably the RAF Ensign. It was this RAF ensign that obviously influenced the design of Singapore's air force service flag and indeed many others around the world too.

The RAF ensign is light blue, featured the Union Flag in the canton and the RAF roundel in the centre-fly (as opposed to lower-fly on the RSAF service flag). The RAF roundel is a circle concentrically divided into three parts comprising of blue-white-red (outermost to innermost) portions. The RAF ensign is in the proportions of 1:2, like the Union Flag itself. The term "Ensign" while mostly associated with the maritime flags (State-Civil-Naval Ensigns) can also be used to refer to flags in general as can be observed here. The RAF has chosen to refer to their service flag as the RAF Ensign since its proposed days. The RAF Ensign was officially adopted in May 1921 after some strong opposition by the Royal Navy. For a more complete and detailed history of the RAF Ensign, see the FOTW : UK Royal Air Force page for more information.

In line with the established order of precedence of the British armed forces, the RAF Ensign is flown third when flown together with the flags of the other services. The services flags were flown together at the Queen's Birthday Parades in colonial Singapore for instance. It is preceded by the Royal Navy's White Ensign and the Union Flag representing the Army elements. It is then followed by the service flag of the colonial Singapore Police Force. Photograph references listed under the Royal Navy entry above. (See section 2.3D.I above)

The British maintained the Air Bases in Singapore even after independence up until 1971, when they withdrew their troops from Singapore. The Air Bases were then handed over to the Singapore Air Defence Command. There was no mention (as far as I am aware) of the RAF handing over the Air Bases to the Malaysian Government of 1963 to 1965. RAF stations in Singapore included RAF Tengah, RAF Changi (also Headquarters RAF Far East), and RAF Seletar. There was also the temporary existence of the Malayan Auxiliary Air Force in the region. Singapore was part of the RAF's geographical command called the Far East Air Force. (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.1E)

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2.5 - Singapore Police Force

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is responsible for the general security of the State, which includes the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the public peace, the prevention and detection of crime, and apprehension of offenders. This is inclusive of our maritime security, undertaken by the Police Coast Guard Command.

2.5A - The Singapore Police Force Service Flag

The Police service flag is in their corporate colours of navy blue, with the SPF emblem rendered in white in the centre. The actual coloured Police emblem has the red State shield within the blue and white garlands of paddy-sheaths held together with blue ribbons. A blue scroll appears below, with the name of the force in the national language (Malay), "Polis Repablik Singapura" translated as Republic of Singapore Police. Apparently, another variant of the Police service flag has the shield white and the stars in blue. Both versions are official designs.

The flag is flown in second position to the national flag. It is displayed from sunrise to sunset at their installations. The proportion of the flag is 2:3. There are unit flags in the SPF, although their use in public is rather uncommon. The idea of a police badge placed on a plain blue field for a service flag was in use since at least the post-war period.

As mentioned under Section 2.1A.I.a earlier, part of the scroll and ribbons also appear on the badge of the SAF Military Police Command. The Central Narcotics Bureau, a separate department under the Home Affairs ministry, also incorporates elements of the police badge in the CNB service emblem, in particular the national shield and wreath, but not the scroll. A 1996 publication of the CNB states that "[the police emblem] indicates the close cooperation between CNB and the police in keeping Singapore free from drugs". CNB's emblem also features a silver starburst base on which the shield and wreath appears at the centre (Section 2.8C). The Customs and Excise Department also shared a service emblem template with the police force prior to 1968. This will be noted in the former police emblems section to follow and in the entry on Singapore Customs in Section 2.8A.

2.5A.I – Order of Flags at Multi-Organisation Premises

In the entry under the Singapore Armed Forces Tri-Service flag in 2.1A earlier, it was observed that the police flag was hoisted together with the SAF flag and the Singapore Civil Defence Force flag for a special national event. The hoisting of flags of various organisations together did not end there and today there are several cases where the police flag are hoisted alongside the flags of other organisations. The following cases notes the places where this is observable and the flag order policy as can be observed at these places.

2.5A.Ia. Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force Joint Installation 

A unit of the Singapore Police Force shares premises with two units of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at Queensway since 2005 (SPF's Queenstown Neighbourhood Police Centre and SCDF's Headquarters 1st Civil Defence Division & Alexandra Fire Station). There, the following order of flag display is observed at the main flagpoles area: the national flag is followed by the SCDF service flag, the SPF service flag and the SCDF HQ 1st CD Division unit flag. This is in contrast to the situation mentioned in 2.1A where during the joint commemoration of the 25th year of national service in Singapore, the Police service flag took precedence over the Civil Defence service flag. The site for the joint installation at Queensway was originally the site of Alexandra Fire Station. The flags of the SCDF is presented in section 2.7 to follow.

2.5A.Ib. The Home Team Academy

The Home Team Academy is also a special place where the police flag is flown together with the flags of other Home Team services. The flag order is different at this location where the Police and Civil Defence is concerned. The case of the Home Team Academy is noted in further detail in section 2.5D to follow.

2.5A.Ic. Singapore Police Force Units at Civic Centres

The majority of police units/centres in Singapore operate within their own designated premises, thus the normal flag display order is observed - the national flag followed by the police service flag. In addition to the special cases with the Civil Defence Force and the Home Team Academy above, there are several neighbourhood police centres that are co-located with other civic organisations as well. One example is the Sengkang Community Hub, where the Sengkang Neighbourhood Police Centre is co-located with the Sengkang Community Club administered by the People's Association (PA), and Singhealth's Sengkang Polyclinic amongst several others. Another example is the Bukit Batok Neighbourhood Police Centre which is co-located with PA's Bukit Batok East Community Club. The police service flag is hoisted alongside the flags of these other organisations at these places. The observed order thus far is that the national flag will as per normal take precedence and the police service flag will be hoisted on the last pole, with the other organisations' flags taking the remaining positions in between. It is likely, though unconfirmed, that alphabetical order is used as a basis for the ordering of flags at these places.

2.5B - Former Police Emblems & Service Flags

The police emblems throughout history were generally similar as it is today. The scrolls were depicted in different forms and arrangement in their course of history. Within the wreath where the State shield sits today, the emblem of the prevailing period of time was used.

2.5B.I – Colony of the Straits Settlements (Straits Settlements Police)

The Singapore Police Force had its roots as the Straits Settlements Police. Within the wreath was the lozenge badge of the British Straits Settlements. Their scroll bore the inscription "Straits Settlements Police". There does not seem to be a service flag then.

2.5B.II – Crown Colony of Singapore (Singapore Police Force)

In 1946, Singapore's status became that of a crown colony by itself with the reorganisation of the British possessions in Malaya which involved the dissolving of the Straits Settlements. The badge of the Colony of Singapore now featured a single crown (instead of three), on a red pall reversed (instead of a white pall reversed), on a white disc (instead of a red lozenge). The scroll on the police badge then bore "Singapore Police Force". The emblem of the Police still retained the lozenge despite the change of the ensign badge defacement from a lozenge to a disc. The badge appeared on the front covers of their quarterly publications (Singapore Police Magazine) up to the 1959 September issue. In 1953, HM Queen Elizabeth II ordered the change of crown design to all emblems, badges, and flags throughout the British Empire, from the previously used Imperial/Tudor Crown to the St Edward's crown. New flags and badges manufactured from that year onwards would have featured the St Edward's crown rather than the Imperial ones. 

Photographs such as those taken at the Police Academy dated 1951 and at the Queen's Birthday Parades of the late 1950s confirms that the police had a service flag that comprised a plain field, most likely blue, with the police service emblem of that period at the centre. The photographs were in monochrome and the colours used to make the flag here have been assumed. The badge as depicted on the flag seemed to have differed slightly from the ones used elsewhere, such as with regard to the arrangement of the title-scroll. At the monarch's birthday parades, the forces' flags were displayed in the following order: the Royal Navy's White Ensign, the Union Flag representing the Army, the Royal Air Force Ensign, and the Police service flag. Queen's Birthday Parades photograph references listed under the Royal Navy entry above. (See section 2.3D.I above)

2.5B.III – Self-Governing Colony of Singapore / State of Singapore (Polis Negara Singapura)

In 1959, Singapore attained self-government status and in December of the year, also introduced the new State Arms. This affected the Police badge and it henceforth featured for the first time ever, the shield as appearing on the present national arms. The scroll however bore the inscription in Malay, Polis Negara Singapura, generally translated as "State of Singapore Police". "Negara" generally translates to "nation-state" in English. The new Police emblem began to appear on the covers of their quarterly publications (Singapore Police Magazine) since the December 1959 issue. The badge was placed on a blue field to make the service flag of the police for that period. Like the previous police flag, there seems to be different arrangement of the title-scroll for different uses of the service badge.

The badge with certain alterations was also used by the Singapore Customs & Excise Department with the wreath rendered in yellow instead of green, and the scroll bearing "Singapore Customs Excise". (See Section 2.8A on this page)

The Polis Negara Singapura service flag should have been used from 1959 - 1963. The service flag then was in the proportions of 1:2. The service flag was reinstated after the separation of Malaysia and Singapore. It is uncertain exactly when the Polis Negara Singapura service flag gave way to the present Polis Repablik Singapura service flag.

Photographs of this service flag were in monochrome, thus the colours used here have been assumed. See National Archives, Negative Numbers: B0146/07/23 (dated 19th January 1963) and 2702/02/07A (dated 22nd July 1966).

2.5B.IV – Singapore in the Malaysian Federation (Polis Di-Raja Malaysia)

In September 1963, Singapore attained independence from the United Kingdom as a component state within the federation of Malaysia. The police forces of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak were thus integrated to become the new Polis Di-Raja Malaysia (Royal Malaysia Police). As such, the Royal Malaysian Police badge (1963 - 1965) was used in Singapore and on the Police service flag.

The Polis Negara Singapura service flag was lowered and replaced with the new Polis Di-Raja Malaysia service flag, at a ceremony held at the Police Headquarters at Pearl's Hill on 17th September 1963. The Royal Malaysian Police service flag as used in Singapore from 1963 - 1965 was in the proportions of 1:2 and had the Royal Malaysia Police emblem in white charged at the centre.

The emblem of 1963 to 1965 was based heavily on that of the previous Royal Federation of Malaya Police (Polis Di-Raja Persekutuan). Formerly, there were two traditional Malay daggers (the Keris) in saltire. The Malay dagger represents the Malayan component. Upon the integration, one of the daggers was replaced with a traditional native Borneo machete (Parang Elang / Kelawang) to represent the Malaysian Borneo components. Additionally, a lion's head was charged in the centre to represent Singapore. These were garlanded with paddy stalks wreath and surmounted with the Malaysian crown. The scroll reads "Polis Di-Raja Malaysia". The service flag in use today by the Royal Malaysia Police is similar (plain blue field with the service emblem at the centre) but the lion's head has since been replaced with a tiger's head. The police badge and flag of 1963 was retained in Malaysia after Singapore's secession and underwent changes later before attaining its current form. More details are available at the FOTW Malaysia Police link above. 

2.5B.V – Republic of Singapore (Polis Repablik Singapura / Singapore Police Force) 

In August 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia. Photographs dated November 1965 and those dated 1966 suggested that the Polis Negara Singapura service flag was used by the Police force after the separation, possibly as a temporary measure by the force. Only later, c.1968, was the current emblem with Polis Repablik Singapura seen.

2.5C - The Police Coast Guard Command

Apart from the the Navy, the Police Coast Guard is the other force at sea that deals with the maintenance of security of Singapore's territorial waters. Unlike the United States or United Kingdom, the Coast Guard of Singapore is under the command and a department of the Singapore Police Force and is not a separate service. The Police Coast Guard (PCG) was formerly known as the 'Marine Police', a name used during Singapore's colonial period. 

Given the fact that it is not a separate nor independent service, there is no Coast Guard service flag nor a Coast Guard ensign in Singapore. For identification at sea, the Police Coast Guard vessels fly the blue State Ensign. At the bases of the Police Coast Guard, the Police service flag is flown next to the national flag.

The Police Coast Guard used to have an array of pennants of differing functions. However, their use were ceased, according to a reply by the PCG. Today, the only flag on the PCG vessel is the blue State Ensign. The PCG does not fly any Jacks on their vessels unlike the Navy. The PCG's unit emblem is the Singapore Police Force emblem on a white anchor. During the colonial period, the Marine Police vessels flew the colony of Singapore blue ensign at the stern like the Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. One commonly used pennant in the past is the plain blue triangular flag with the text "Police" in white.

It is to be noted that the usage of the State Ensign is not exclusive to the Police Coast Guard. It remains a property of the State and may be flown by any vessel warranted by the Government of Singapore to do so as will be highlighted next. 

2.5C.I - The State Marine Ensign

The then Deputy Prime Minister officially tabled the State Marine Ensign of Singapore in the Singapore Legislative Assembly on 24th December 1960, titled "Misc. 6 of 1960". The previous year saw the adoption of the national flag and coat of arms as a result of Singapore attaining internal self-government.

The State Marine Ensign is also known as the State Ensign or the Government Ensign. It has a blue field representing the sea, and the red canton is from the canton of the national flag. Additionally, an 8-pointed mariner's compass, parted into 16 alternating red and white segments, is charged in the lower fly of the ensign. The North-South-East-West cardinals are significantly longer than the sub-cardinals. The legislative papers gave the ensign a proportion of 1:2. Unlike the Singapore Naval Ensign, the State Marine Ensign still retains its official 1:2 proportions when flown on vessels these days.

The State Ensign is to be flown by non-military government service vessels and as mentioned, the Police Coast Guard thus flies the State Ensign. Another user of the State Ensign was the former Singapore Customs & Excise Department (CED). Prior to April 2003, the CED operated with a Harbour Branch, equipped with Customs vessels known as launchers. Since April 2003, the operations of the CED Harbour Branch has been handed over to the newly formed Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Thus at present, the vessels of the ICA flies the State Ensign as well.

According to an employee of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the vessels of the MPA are also required to fly the State Ensign. It was also mentioned that the State Ensign is flown at Singapore's lighthouses at sea.

The use of the state ensign during Singapore's membership in the Malaysian federation is uncertain. It was very likely that the usage of the ensign was ceased. The State Ensign was also temporarily used by the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force, upon the secession from the federation from 1965 to May 1967. Legislative papers gave the Naval Ensign an equivalent construction sheet to that of the State Ensign, with the exception of colours to be used.

For additional reference, the Singapore Merchant Marine Ensign (the red Civil Ensign) was presented to Parliament by the Deputy Prime Minister on 6th September 1966. The document was titled "Misc. 5 of 1966".

2.5D - The Home Team Academy

The Home Team Academy (HTA) began operations in 2006 bringing together the various training establishments of the Home Team services into one single complex. The HTA houses and generally oversees the training of police, prisons, and immigration officers of all ranks, and specially manages inter-agency programmes. Former training establishments included the Police Academy, the Prisons Staff Training School, and the ICA Academy. Despite the Home Team reference, Civil Defence personnel continue to undergo training at the separate Civil Defence Academy (see section 2.7B.III). The Home Team Cadet Corps headquarters is also now housed at the Home Team Academy and several training sessions for the cadets are also conducted at the HTA. The Home Team Cadet Corps is comprised of the National Police Cadet Corps and the National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (see section 2.9B and 2.9C) which was previously based at the Police Academy.

The HTA's flag has a plain light blue field charged with the predominantly dark blue logo of the academy at the centre as displayed on the left. The HTA logo is derived from the logo of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The central feature of the logo are the two towers, which is a depiction of the buildings that houses the headquarters of the Home Affairs Ministry and the Singapore Police Force, located at New Phoenix Park. The red shield with the white crescent and stars being the arms of Singapore. The scroll on the HTA logo carries the motto "Honour & Unity", which are the core values of the Home Team as a whole. A second motto appears above the towers in an arc, which reads "Learn, Serve, Excel". Laurels flank the right and left of the logo. The logo also carries the name of the academy at its top. The flag can be seen hoisted at the main entrance of the academy.

As a multi-service installation, the flags of the various agencies of the Home Team are flown at the academy premises. At the academy's open house in September 2006, the flags were seen hoisted in the following order: the Singapore Police Force flag, the Singapore Prison Service flag (section 2.6), the Internal Security Department flag (section 2.8D), the Central Narcotics Bureau flag (section 2.8C), the Singapore Civil Defence Force flag (section 2.7A), and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority flag (section 2.8B). The Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprise (SCORE), a civilian statutory board, is also represented with an organisational flag that is hoisted between the flags of the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

A formal official opening ceremony of the academy was held in conjunction with the open house as mentioned above. A parade was held as part of the formal ceremonies and the service flags of the Singapore Police Force, Internal Security Department, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Prison Service, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Central Narcotics Bureau, as well as the Home Team Academy flag were paraded together in that given order. The arrangement adopted for the parade was notably different from the hoisting order as adopted for the flag poles mentioned above. 

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2.6 - Singapore Prison Service

The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) is responsible for the secure detention and rehabilitation of criminal offenders in Singapore. The Prisons Service is also referred to as the Prisons Department interchangeably.

2.6A - The Prisons Department Service Flag

The Prisons service flag is in their corporate colours of blue with their emblem in full colour charged in the centre. The Prisons emblem features a gold lion passant guardant beneath two gold keys in saltire, all of which appears within an equilateral blue-framed triangle, that displays in white the text, "Security, Humanity, Rehabilitation" on each side. The triangle is flanked on its left and right by gold laurels. Surmounting all of these is the crescent and five stars from the arms of Singapore, but without the red shield unlike the other services. Beneath it all is a blue scroll bearing the service name, "Singapore Prison Service" in white. Keys in saltire and the lion passant guardant were also used by the predecessor colonial prison service mentioned in the following entry.

From an enquiry to the Singapore Prisons Service, the emblem was designed in 1964/1965. Accordingly, the lion, crescent, and stars represent the national status of the service. The crossed keys represent imprisonment of offenders under lock and key. The equilateral triangle represents the equal importance of Humanity, Security, and Rehabilitation, which is their service mission. The paddy laurels represent the peace of the nation. The Prisons service is the only service that does not use the shield proper of the national arms as part of its service emblem adopting only the charges of the national arms.

The Prison service flag is flown in second position to the national flag and it is displayed from sunrise to sunset at their installations. The proportion of the flag is 2:3. At the Home Team Academy, the service flag of the Prisons Department is hoisted second to the Police service flag (2.5D).

2.6B - Former Prisons Emblem

The Prisons Service like many services in Singapore, had its beginnings during the colonial period. Before the merger in 1963, they existed under the same name, "Singapore Prison Service". They had a badge for their uniforms and it was also used on their magazine, Majalah Penjara. It featured a lion passant guardant on a turf with a palm tree as a backdrop. This was likely a partial reference to the Crest of the City of Singapore. However, the city crest depicted a lion passant and not a lion passant guardant. A lion passant guardant was used as a charge on the shield of the colony coat of arms. There were also two keys in saltire (diagonal cross) as part of the backdrop. These charges were garlanded within laurels and also within a contiguous chain. A scroll with the name of the service, "Singapore Prison Service" appears at the base of the emblem. Her Majesty's St Edward's crown surmounts the badge. The date of its adoption and the badge of the service from 1959 to 1965 are uncertain.

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2.7 - Singapore Civil Defence Force

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is responsible for the provision of rescue services, fire-fighting services, national emergency ambulance services, air-raid shelters management, and educating the public about civil protection skills and procedures. The Public Warning System is also managed by the SCDF. The SCDF is an unarmed organisation.

2.7A  - The Singapore Civil Defence Force Service Flag

The SCDF service flag has an orange field with the SCDF emblem in full colour in the centre. The SCDF emblem features the State shield, representing the national status of the force, on the blue international Civil Defence triangle, representing fire-fighting, rescue, and first aid concepts of Civil Defence. Green laurels attached to its base a red ribbon signifying honour of service to the nation flanks the triangle. A blue scroll appears beneath with the inscription "Singapore Civil Defence" in white. Officially, the colour blue represents loyalty. 

The service flag is flown in second position to the national flag and is displayed from sunrise to sunset at their installations. The proportion of the service flag and unit flags are 2:3. The SCDF also have flags for its various units and formations, which takes third position when flown together.

The exact date of adoption is uncertain. The earliest dated picture with such a flag seen so far is that on National Day Parade of 1985, when the SCDF contingent paraded their service flag. Something to note however is that the SCDF service flag of 1985 had the first SCDF emblem which was rendered slightly differently from today's.

The equilateral blue triangle on an orange field is an emblem of protection as governed by the Geneva Convention of 1949 relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol 1 - Adopted in June 1977). Specifically, the relevant paragraphs are:

“The international distinctive sign of civil defence is an equilateral blue triangle on an orange ground when used for the protection of civil defence organizations, their personnel, buildings and material and for civilian shelters.” Part IV, Chapter VI - Civil Defence, Article 66, Paragraph 4.

“It is recommended that: (a) If the blue triangle is on a flag or armlet or tabard, the ground to the triangle be the orange flag, armlet or tabard; (b) One of the angles of the triangle be pointed vertically upwards; (c) No angle of the triangle touch the edge of the orange ground.” Annex I, Chapter V - Civil Defence, Article 15, Paragraph 2.

As mentioned earlier under entry 2.5A.Ia, several units of the Police and Civil Defence forces share common premises at Alexandra, where the service flags of both services are thus flown alongside one another with SCDF's taking precedence over that of the SPF's. At the Home Team Academy, the SCDF flag is hoisted in sixth position amongst the flags of the Home Team agencies (2.5D) - this excludes the position of the national flag. 

2.7A.I - The Histories of Civil Defence and Fire Service Organisations, and their Emblems

Unlike the colonial police forces, the civil defence and fire service organisations of the colonial period did not use the badge of the colony (the crown/s and pall reversed) in their service badges. Instead, the crest and arms of the city and colony were featured on their badges. Where flags are concerned, these organisations did not seem to have service flags during the colonial period. There were actually such flags in the UK, although they were in existence only temporarily at times for combined war effort purposes. Under normal circumstances, these services are localised services. There were flags for the UK Civil Defence adopted in 1943 and also the UK National Fire Service adopted in 1942. These flags followed the ensign-styled flags of the navy and air force but were quartered; the Union Flag appearing in the canton and the service badge or insignia at the lower fly / fourth quarter. As Singapore's colonial fire service and civil defence services do not seem to have been equipped with such service flags, the influence in design did not seem to have managed to filter through. These quartered flags would have probably made flags much more visually interesting rather than the common badge on a plain field flag like today.

2.7A.Ia - Singapore Fire Brigade (1888 - 1980), Singapore Fire Service (1980 - 1992)

Singapore first began with a Singapore Fire Brigade during the colonial period, established around 1888. The Singapore Fire Brigade remained in service since then and was renamed Singapore Fire Service in 1980. For a badge, the Singapore Fire Brigade used the crest of the Arms of the City, featuring the lion statant and a coconut palm tree.

The Fire Service emblem (date of adoption possibly 1980) was quite similar to the first SCDF emblem, as it featured similar laurel wreath and scroll. The central device was the red State shield  surmounted with an orange colonial-style fire helmet on two blue axes in saltire. Their blue scroll reads "Singapore Fire Service". It is uncertain however if they had any service flag then.

In 1939, in light of the approaching war, a volunteer unit known as the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was set up and managed by the Singapore Fire Brigade. The AFS was eventually reintroduced after WW2 under the newly laid civil defence plans for the colony.

2.7A.Ib - Singapore Civil Defence Corps (1951 - 1959)

A Singapore Civil Defence Corps was raised by the colonial government through a May 1951 Ordinance. It operated with two reserve units namely the AFS reintroduced in 1952 and the Auxiliary Health Service (AHS). The Civil Defence Corps was disbanded in 1959. The AFS remained until 1960 (absorbed by the Singapore Fire Brigade) while the AHS was transferred to the Ministry of Health.

The Civil Defence Corps badge was similar to those used in the United Kingdom. The badge comprised a circular title-scroll with the text "Civil Defence Corps" and an additional scroll at the base with the text "Singapore". The Arms of the Colony of Singapore, featuring the lion passant guardant on a tower, appeared at the centre of the badge within the title-scroll. The badge was completed with the royal crown surmounting the title-scroll.

2.7A.Ic - Singapore Civil Defence Force (since 1982)

In 1982, a Civil Defence Command was established under the Singapore Police Force. It was renamed Singapore Civil Defence Force in 1983. The Civil Defence Act passed in 1986, made SCDF a proper independent force with a Civil Defence Commissioner. In 1989, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Singapore Fire Service merged to form the Singapore Joint Civil Defence Forces (SJCDF). The SCDF emblem was retained after the merger. The name of the force reverted back to 'SCDF' in 1992. 

The first SCDF emblem then was however slightly different in the rendering of the laurels and scroll. Notably, the laurels then had a stalk, unlike today's. The scroll back then comprised only two fold-points, compared to today's four fold-points. These features were also prevalent on the Singapore Fire Service emblem before it was retired upon the merger. The use of the current emblem on documents was in late 1988. Although the Singapore Fire Service emblem was retired, personnel who are fire-trained still bear the helmet and axes badge of the former Fire Service, on their uniforms. 

2.7B - The Singapore Civil Defence Force Unit & Formation Flags

As mentioned, the administration & operations of SCDF are divided into its four territorial Divisions, each with a Divisional Headquarters and its assigned Fire Stations. Headquarters SCDF does not have a unit flag. The unit emblems were first introduced in early 2000. There is a parade version for all the units and formations listed below which basically appears with additional gold fringes and attached to a pike/staff (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.6B). 

2.7B.I - SCDF Unit Flags (Division Headquarters)

Basically, the flags of the Division HQs & Fire Stations will reflect the colour as assigned to the entire Division. The assigned colours are yellow, blue, green and red for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions respectively.

For Division HQs, their unit emblem is a white disc, bordered with the official division colours. A white equilateral triangle is superimposed on the disc throughout that basically divides the coloured border into three equal parts. On the left and right border segments are laurels. The base segment of the border has the inscription of the Division's name in white. The peak of the triangle contains a stylised depiction of the abbreviation "CD". The centre has depictions of animals assigned to the Division; a dragon for 1st CD Division, a gryphon for 2nd CD Division, an eagle for 3rd CD Division, and a puma for 4th CD Division.

2.7B.II - SCDF Unit Flags (Fire Stations)

For the Fire Stations, the unit emblems feature a common standard template. There is to be a shield with the words "Fire Station" in white at the top. Beneath the words "Fire Station" is where the name of the Fire Station is placed. Within the shield at its base are laurels with a ribbon. All these common features shall be in the colours as assigned to the division the station belongs to.

The centre of the shield is where charges associated with fire, rescue, and ambulance services are displayed. They include fire-fighting equipments such as helmets, nozzles, axes, hydrants & fire vehicles, images of fire fighters, chemical hazard classification quadrants, flames, the fire station number, a skyline of area where the station serves, and the emergency medical services star of life emblem. The fire station emblem is charged on a plain coloured field to make the unit flag.

The blue six-barred Star of Life is the badge of the emergency medical services, which was first, designed by Leo R. Schwartz, the Chief of the EMS Branch of the United States' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1977 as a suitable replacement for the restricted-use international Red Cross emblem. The blue star has at its centre in gold/yellow, the Rod of Aesculapius, featuring a staff encircled with a snake/serpent. Aesculapius was the ancient Greek god of medicine. See also mention of the Rod of Aesculapius and the Caduceus in Section 2.8A (Singapore Customs) on this page, and on Section 4.3B.I & 4.3B.II.j (Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps) on Page 2.

Several stations incorporate the station number on their emblems, such as Central (1), Clementi (4), Bishan (5), and Changi (8) Fire Stations. Jurong Fire Station places an axe in the form of the number 7 on their emblem as a reflection of their station number. As at 2003, the order as stated below was used by the SCDF and the flags have been arranged according to this numbering sequence. Several stations were renamed when they shifted to new premises. The name of the station as appearing on the station logo was thus changed. The former name is placed in parentheses in the table where this is the case. Tuas FS was renamed without a shift in premises and before the station emblems were adopted. Serangoon Fire Station was formerly under the management of Headquarters 2nd CD Division and their divisional colours for the flag's field and station logo template were formerly blue. The divisional colours were changed to yellow when they relocated and was subsequently reorganised under 1st CD Division. 

SCDF has since adopted new a numbering convention for its stations combining division number and station precedence, thus Central Fire Station is today referred to as Station 11 (1st station of 1st CD Division). The new numbering convention causes some anomaly with logos that had originally incorporated the original numbering system. For instance, the 8th fire station, Changi FS, is now Station 22 (2nd station of 2nd CD Division). The original numbering system and order as used up to 2003/4 has been retained here so as to match the station number appearing on the emblems. This order has also been kept when the unit parade flags are paraded at Civil Defence Day Parades.

01) Central F.S.	02) Paya Lebar F.S. (Geylang F.S.)	03) Alexandra F.S.	04) Clementi F.S.
05) Bishan F.S. (Serangoon F.S.)	06) Yishun F.S. (Sembawang F.S.)	07) Jurong F.S.	08) Changi F.S.
09) Ang Mo Kio F.S.	10) Tuas F.S. (Jurong West F.S.)	11) Woodlands F.S.	12) Bukit Batok F.S. (Bukit Timah F.S.)
			Future Fire Stations: - Banyan F.S. - Marina F.S.
13) Jurong Island F.S.	14) Sengkang F.S.	15) Tampines F.S.

2.7B.III - SCDF Unit Flags (Training Establishments)

The two training establishments of the SCDF are the Civil Defence Academy (CDA) and the Basic Rescue Training Centre (BRTC). Since mid-2006, the two units have been co-located and the premises designated as the CDA Complex.

Prior to the relocation to its new premises, the BRTC had a unit flag and emblem as shown on the right. The former emblem of the Basic Rescue Training Centre (BRTC) was made up of a shield and scroll. The shield's field is made up of brown bricks, representing the Construction Brigade upon which is charged a flaming torch, a traditional symbol of the quest for knowledge, BRTC being the provider of basic rescue training education. The shield is flanked left to right all around its base with a yellow scroll bearing the inscription "Construction Brigade". The white abbreviation of CD on a red triangle appears at the base of the shield. The emblem is placed on a red field to make the BRTC unit flag. A parade version was also available in a similar design with the addition of gold fringes.

A new emblem and flag for BRTC was adopted upon the unit's relocation to its new premises as shown on the left. The new emblem comprises two axes in saltire behind a flaming torch. The emblem is charged on a plain white field to make the current unit flag. BRTC is where all conscripts assigned to the Civil Defence scheme of service is trained in basic rescue, first aid and basic fire fighting, before being posted for secondary specialist training at CDA or thereafter posted directly to units. CDA is also the training centre for officers of the Force.

The emblem of the Civil Defence Academy (CDA) features an orange shield, the charges on which are an axe and a carabineer in saltire upon which is placed a flaming torch with rays. Beneath the shield is a motto-scroll bearing the inscription, "Knowledge & Wisdom". The CDA emblem is placed on a white field to make the unit flag as shown on the right. The CDA unit flag takes precedence over BRTC's unit flag when they are on parade together.

A a closer view of the emblems of the Division HQs and Fire Stations is available at the SCDF website here.

2.7B.IV - SCDF Formation Flags (Special Units)

There are two formation flags in the SCDF. One of which belongs to the elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART) and the other to the Special Rescue Battalion (SRB). Both formation flags for general use has an orange field and is charged with their formation emblems at the centre. These flags are not flown on flagpoles as far as I know. Like the other SCDF Units mentioned above, there are also parade flags for these two formations. The Parade/Indoor Flag version for DART retains the original design, an orange field with the DART emblem in the centre and the flag is fringed in gold. The SRB parade flag differs from the general-use formation flag in that the field of the parade flag is white and not orange. The SRB emblem is charged at the centre of the white field and the parade flag is fringed in gold. These parade flags are shown on Page 2, Section 4.6B.

The DART emblem basically shows a rescuer rappelling with a high-rise rescue stretcher. Their motto "We Dare" is inscribed on a scroll at the base of their emblem. The SRB emblem reflects their multiple functions. The chemical quadrant table base reflecting their roles in hazardous materials training, a helmet for their fire fighting functions, a red cross for their first-aid duties and axes in saltire and ropes representing their rescue function. Their motto is "Always Ready" and this appears on a scroll at the base of their emblem. 

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2.8 - The Other National Enforcement Agencies

As mentioned in the introduction, the Home Team is comprised of several agencies under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The two main agencies with clear paramilitary characteristics are the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, and to an extent the Singapore Prison Service as well. This section will note the other agencies that have been established to do enforcement work in specific areas. Regimentation is not a central feature of these services, although some are uniform-wearing services. The rank structures for these services (except ISD) have been incorporated in the Military and Paramilitary Ranks of Singapore site.

2.8A - Singapore Customs

Singapore Customs is a department under the Ministry of Finance. They were formerly known as the Singapore Customs and Excise Department (CED), which had its existence since the colonial period. In April 2003, part of the duties of the CED was transferred to the Singapore Immigration and Registration (SIR), which was reorganised to become the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Singapore Customs and Excise Department was reorganised into Singapore Customs hence.

The current Singapore Customs emblem (appearing on the current service flag as shown on the left) is the third in its history, adopted in April 2003, upon the reorganisation of the former CED. The first Customs service emblem was similar in design to the emblem used by the Polis Negara Singapura (See Section 2.5B.III on this page). The fronds were yellow, within which was the State shield. The ribbons and scroll were blue and the scroll had the inscription "Singapore Customs Excise". The date of adoption is uncertain, but it was used by the department until 1968. It is uncertain if they had a service flag then.

The second Customs emblem was adopted in 1968, and is the basis of the current Customs emblem. It featured the gold fronds, the portcullis and a red scroll at its base, inscribed with "Singapore Customs". The emblem is surmounted with the national arms but without the motto-scroll, "Majulah Singapura". The use of the nearly complete achievement of the present arms is unlike the other enforcement services (exception of Prisons and ISD) who uses only the shield of arms. A portcullis is a heavy grilled door with spikes at the bottom, used to guard the main entrance of a castle. The portcullis is said to "represent the gates of the kingdom, that is the seaports; which were of course the seats of operations of the Customs." (The Portcullis: The House of Commons Information Office, Factsheet G9 General Series, September 2003). The department had a service flag, which featured this Customs & Excise emblem on a plain navy blue field. The second Customs emblem and service flag was in use until April 2003 (Former service flag & emblem as shown on the right).

The third and present Customs emblem replaces the portcullis from the second emblem with that of a silver Caduceus and two silver keys. The caduceus is the staff of Hermes (Greek) / Mercury (Roman), featuring a rod, entwined by two snakes/serpents and topped with a pair of wings. Hermes / Mercury was regarded by these ancient communities as the god of commerce and travel. Customs, as the facilitator of trade and travel, thus uses the befitting Caduceus as its emblem. The two keys represent the desire to achieve higher levels of trade facilitation while ensuring revenue protection. The entire emblem is charged on a navy blue field to make the current service flag. This flag can be seen at Revenue House, flying alongside the national flag. The proportion of the flag is 2:3. The Caduceus is also commonly used to represent medical organisations although the more accurate charge should be the Rod of Aesculapius (as used by the SCDF as mentioned on Section 2.7B.II on this page). The Caduceus is thus also used as the insignia of the SAF Medical Corps (Refer to Page 2, Section 4.3B.I & 4.3B.II.j). Internationally, Customs agencies popularly use two devices for its emblem, either the portcullis or the caduceus.  

2.8B - Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was established on 1st April 2003, from the merger of the former Singapore Immigration and Registration and part of the Singapore Customs and Excise Department. The ICA is an agency under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, thus part of the Home Team.

Both departments held a joint competition to find a new emblem for ICA and the one that is seen today was the adopted entry. Their emblem features the State shield representing the national status of the authority. The centre is charged with a portcullis, on a red segment representing the land. The emblem is garlanded with laurels and has a blue scroll at the base inscribed with "Immigration and Checkpoints Authority" in white.

Their service flag has a plain white field and is charged with the ICA emblem in the centre. The flag can be seen hoisted alongside the national flag at the ICA Headquarters and checkpoint complexes. The proportion of the flag is 2:3. At the Home Team Academy, the ICA flag is hoisted in seventh position amongst the various flags of the Home Team agencies (2.5D) - this excludes the position of the national flag. Vessels of the ICA flies the State Marine Ensign as mentioned earlier (2.5C.I). ICA vessels also fly their service pennant onboard, a blue triangular flag with the the text "ICA" above a smaller sized text "Singapore", both texts appearing in white letters. A similar flag but with a blue field instead of white has been seen hoisted at the ICA Building; the reasoning for this difference at the moment unclear.

2.8C - Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)

The CNB has a service flag that is flown at the Home Team Academy. The flag comprises a dark blue field and the CNB service emblem charged at its centre. The CNB emblem features elements of the police service emblem as mentioned in 2.5A. A silver 8-pointed starburst forms the base of the emblem on which its centre is charged with the wreath and shield of the national arms like those appearing on the police emblem. The name of the department - Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore - encircles the wreath and arms. Like other flags, the CNB flag is in the proportions of 2:3. At the Home Team Academy, the CNB flag is hoisted in fourth position amongst the various flags of the Home Team agencies (2.5D) - this excludes the position of the national flag. The CNB is considered a Home Team Uniformed Service like the Police, Prison, and Civil Defence services.

2.8D - Internal Security Department (ISD)

At the Home Team Academy, the ISD is also represented with a flag of their own flown alongside the other service flags of the Home Team services. The ISD flag comprises a white field charged with the ISD emblem at its centre. The ISD emblem is simply the national arms, in its complete current achievement depiction, with the gold text "Internal Security Department" placed above the national arms in an arc. As per other flags, the proportion of the ISD flag is 2:3. The ISD flag takes third position amongst the various flags of the Home Team agencies (2.5D) - this excludes the position for national flag.

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2.9 - The Cadet Corps of Singapore

The youth cadet corps have been in existence since the colonial period such as the School Cadet Corps (Army), Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps. The Police Cadet Corps was only established later while Singapore was a self-governing colony. In 2005, the Civil Defence Cadet Corps was officially established. The Police and Civil Defence Cadet Corps are also referred to as the Home Team Cadet Corps, but retaining their separate identities.

The other uniformed youth organisations in Singapore are the Boys Brigade Singapore, Girls Brigade Singapore, Girl Guide Singapore, Singapore Scouts Association, Red Cross Youth, and St John Ambulance Brigade, each having their own flags and varying practices as well. At the 2006 Singapore Youth Festival Opening Ceremony parade, the uniformed youth organisations' general flags were paraded together in the order listed above with those of the national corps preceding the rest - specifically NPCC's followed by NCC's (joint organisational flag only) and followed by NCDCC's.  

2.9A - National Cadet Corps (NCC)

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is Singapore's own local uniformed organisation for youths, that began as the Army Cadet Corps in the 1900s. Administered jointly by the Ministry of Education and the SAF, they set to provide youths with various skills that classrooms can't offer and a feel and introduction to the life in the SAF as well. Like the SAF, there are three 'services' in the NCC. They are the NCC Land, NCC Sea and NCC Air. 

The NCC as a unified organisation is represented with an NCC Joint Organisational Flag and each of the NCC branches have their individual Organisational Flag. 

The NCC joint/unified organisational flag is a vertical triband of red-white-red charged in the central white band, with the NCC emblem. The NCC emblem is a starburst surmounted with the full State Arms. Within the blue ring, which is inscribed with "National Cadet Corps" in gold, is a lion rampant holding a sword, all in gold. A blue scroll inscribed with "Singapore" in gold is placed on a red ribbon at the base of the starburst. The flag is in the proportions of 2:3. It is referred to more commonly as the NCC Tri-Service Banner.

The NCC-Land organisational flag has a green field and the NCC Joint Organisational Flag in the canton. The lower fly is defaced with the NCC-Land insignia, a bayonet and a torch. The NCC-Land only received an Organisational Flag on July 10, 1999. Previously, the NCC Land used the joint banner to represent themselves.

The NCC-Sea organisational flag has a navy blue field and the NCC-Joint Flag in the canton. The lower fly is defaced with the NCC-Sea insignia, a white anchor with gold ropes. The NCC-Sea Banner was granted in 1982.

The NCC-Air organisational flag has a light blue field and the NCC-Joint Flag in the canton. The lower fly is defaced with the NCC-Air insignia, an eagle. The date of adoption is uncertain.

The full arrangement of flags when displayed is the national flag, SAF Flag, Ministry of Education Flag, the NCC-Joint Flag, the NCC-Land Flag, the NCC-Sea Flag and the NCC-Air Flag. 

In addition to the Organisational Flags, the NCC also have ceremonial flags. The NCC has accredited the status of their ceremonial flags as Colours. The NCC Colours are mentioned in further detail in Section 4.6C on Page 2.

2.9B - National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC)

There is also a Police variant of the cadet corps, for those more interested in policing. Their purpose is the same as the NCC, which is to equip various skills to the cadets and introduce them to the life in the Singapore Police Force. The Ministry of Education jointly administers the NPCC with the Singapore Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs. For some time, the NPCC was administered as part of the NCC (known then as the NCC Police), until the Ministry of Defence and the Interior split to become the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs respectively. Whilst under the NCC, their badge for their headgear was that of the NCC.

The NPCC organisational flag for general use is an equal horizontal bicolour, navy blue over white. The canton is charged with the NPCC emblem. The NPCC emblem is the SPF emblem but the scroll of the latter is replaced with a scroll inscribed with 'NPCC' for the Corps. Additionally, the date 1959 (the formation of the first unit in NPCC's history) appears beneath the scroll. The lower white half of the flag is inscribed with "National Police Cadet Corps" in blue, nearer to its base. There is also an NPCC Ceremonial Flag mentioned further in Section 4.6D on Page 2.

2.9C - National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC)

The National Civil Defence Cadet Corps was established in 2005, with the aim of instilling civil defence skills and knowledge to youths. Like the NPCC, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Singapore Civil Defence Force administer the NCDCC jointly.

The NCDCC emblem is derived from that of the SCDF's with the scroll of the latter replaced with a blue one bearing the initials NCDCC for the corps instead. The NCDCC emblem thus has equivalent symbolism to that of SCDF's. The NCDCC emblem is placed on an orange field to make their organisational flag. As mentioned under the entry on the SCDF, the blue triangle on an orange field is an international symbol and colours for civil defence organisations as governed by the Geneva Convention. 

A parade version of the flag is available and paraded at the Singapore Youth Festival opening parade. It is in the exact design as the organisational flag shown here but the ceremonial flag is completed with a gold fringe and attached to a wooden staff. 

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- Last Edited, Revised and/or Updated : 26th April 2009
- The Military & Paramilitary Flags of Singapore site was first launched in September 2001